Survivor of the wounded knee massacre.
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Our Generation BlackHills- He Sapa Wicouncage Okolakiciye
December 21 at 7:11 PM ·
Wapahaska aka WahukezaSka Daniel Whitelance. (1869-1934)
Kaka got the lakol caje "Zuya" from fight at Wounded Knee. He received a "Shirt" or Ogle Tanka. Also named "Oyate Yuha", because he protected the people.
His female relatives offered pieces of their hair to tie on his shirt to show honor and respect. Signifying his commitment to be their protector.
Wapahaska rode out front with his older brother "Wakinyan Waste", or Good Thunder aka Wasu Maza aka Putinhin aka Dewey Beard (1858-1955) they were Scouts for Chief Unpa Gleska, who was also their uncle. Riding towards Pine Ridge to make peace they were intercepted, by army scouts and a detatchment who had already set up their guns. Wapahaska was carrying the white flag for them during that time. Wasu Maza said ,"if I die today I'm a wokicunze! He dismounted and shoved his arm down the barrel of the hotchkiss gun.
Wapahaska was Itazipco his kaka was a Wakan Iyeska named Yellowhawk, his unci was named Brings Buckskin Horse (Han Zi Agli Win), she was Mniconjou Wakpokinyan. Wapahaska grew up in time of war and hunger yet through it all survived to bring our wicohan to this generation. We come from strong, resilient, brave people. During the time following Wounded Knee they settled in areas around Kyle. One place called "Wablenica," (Red Water)another called "Tokala Oyanke."(North Route) They would gather and have tokala dances where they shared stories of brave deeds and danced and sang all night.
Wife- Julia Brown Thunder/Whitelance.
Children- Frances Whitelance, Susie Whitelance, Lucy Whitelance, John Whitelance.
I found this in a book "Wounded Knee massacre"
"In listening to all the statements made here in the past 2 days I find out that they were telling actual facts I am not going to tell anything different from what they were telling I am going to tell such events as I saw.
We met the soldiers on the other side of porcupine Butte near the home of a man. In coming towards the soldiers we saw they had cannons erected, and their guns in position to fire. We were not on the warpath, had no intentions of fighting when we came right up to where they stood. We had along with us chief big foot who is very sick they placed him in a buggy and came on with him. Right down below here is where we camped and to the left of us is where the soldiers were camped. The following morning all the men were called together so I came to where they were. They called for guns and arms so all of us gave the guns and they were stacked up in the center. It was understood that just as soon as all the guns were stacked in the center we were to continue on the Pine Ridge agency. Big foot was placed right in the doorway of a tent and I stood right to his left side. I could see that there was commotion among the soldiers and I saw on looking back they had their guns in position ready to fire. There were two officers in the center; the one that was standing to the left gave a command in a loud voice then we couldn't see anything for the smoke.
The smoke was so dense I couldn't see anything so I didn't make a move just stood there when it cleared up a little I was going to start to go away when I looked to my right I saw bigfoot lying down with blood on his forehead and his head to the right side. I never knew they would take advantage of a sick man. That was the 1st time I ever saw that happen. I went a little ways then I was knocked down I was unconscious for a little while I was shot then and wounded and I went to this little wide cut bank and there I found that we were surrounded by soldiers. Some already wounded some dead but they continued to fire on us. There is no reason for shooting at us twice they had already shot at us I stayed there all day with these young fellows, boys then. Since then I have been unable to use my left arm but I struggle along I want to say I am not much of a story teller but this I desire to say."
-Whitelance
Interpreter Henry Standing Bear.
